Global Covid cases pass 77 million – Sweden joins countries banning travel from UK
Global coronavirus infections pass 77.3 million. Meanwhile, the global coronavirus death toll has passed 1,702,000 according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
US: Covid-19 infections have passed 18 million. Meanwhile, the US coronavirus death toll is 319,364 according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
There are no intensive care beds available in densely populated southern California or the state’s agricultural San Joaquin Valley, together home to nearly 30 million people, amid a deadly surge of Covid-19, governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday.
Texas state’s hospitals tallied 10,009 virus patients on Monday, the highest since 24 July, state health department figures showed. Almost half the state’s 22 trauma service areas have more than 15% of hospital capacity occupied by Covid-19 patients. Earlier in the day, Governor Greg Abbott announced plans to reopen the state capitol on 4 January as lawmakers prepare to convene their bi-annual legislative session.
Australia: Australia’s most-populous state reported eight new local cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday as authorities battled to bring an outbreak in Sydney under control without having to resort to lockdowns over Christmas. Seven of the cases are linked to infections in the Northern Beaches area of the city, bringing that cluster to 90, New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters. The other case was a health care worker, who transported infected overseas travellers from Sydney airport to hotel quarantine.
